A crop strategy document has been developed by the Agriculture Ministry in an effort to pave the way forward for Fiji’s Crop Sector over the next five years.

Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Jitendra Singh, says the ministry has allowed stake holders to validate the draft copy strategy to ensure that every stakeholder takes ownership of the final document.

“The Crop Strategy will facilitate the modernization of the crop sector through stronger partnership of the government and the private sector, enhance stronger market linkages, processes and exporters and finally contribute to national goals such as food and national security, increase resilience through climate change and increase participation of women and youth in the agriculture sector.”

Singh says the document has been put together by the Agriculture Ministry and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization based on the constructive interactions with relevant stake holders on ways to develop the industry.

The two stakeholders are also working on empowering the rural population to process and market local food.